Congratulations to the Class of 2023

CENTER LINE/WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS — One chapter closed and a new one began.

This month, graduating seniors from local high schools received their diplomas in commencement ceremonies that brought cheers, emotions, high-fives and hugs.

As the Class of 2023 settles into celebrations and bittersweet goodbyes, the Warren Weekly emailed local school officials to learn a bit more about this year’s high school seniors.

Here is a look at the Class of 2023.

 

Regina High School
Class colors: Carolina blue and black. Class patron: St. Teresa of Calcutta. Class song: “Vienna,” by Billy Joel. Class motto: “Chase your dreams, but always know the road that’ll lead you home again,” by Tim McGraw.

Of the 63 students graduating from the all-girls Catholic high school, 97% have enrolled in a two- or four-year college at 24 institutions of higher learning. The most popular choice is Michigan State University with 13 students MSU-bound.

Regina students also plan to attend the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Western Michigan University. A few have opted to attend school out-of-state at Purdue University-Fort Wayne, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, Loyola University (Chicago) and the University of Arizona. The Regina students received a total of $8 million in college scholarship offers.

“As our graduates embark on their next chapter, I urge them to cultivate kindness and humility in themselves. I think it is important to be humble and kind in all their interactions, and look for opportunities to make a positive impact on the world around them,” Principal Ann Diamond said. “They have the power and knowledge to create change, whether it’s in their community, their workplace, or the world at large. As the sign in my office says, in a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind, as it can make all the difference in whatever path their life takes them.”

 

De La Salle Collegiate High School
A total of 157 seniors graduated May 20 at Grace Church in Warren and the baccalaureate Mass was held at St. Isidore’s Church in Macomb Township on the same date. On May 21, Pilots, which is the all-boys Catholic high school’s mascot, headed over to Total Sports Fun in Harrison Township for the senior all-night party.

Graduates will attend a variety of colleges, including the University of Notre Dame, MSU and U-M, the University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland University. The medical field, engineering and business are the most popular fields.

“This graduating class was very special. They were all brothers that came together and will continue to stay in contact with one another for years to come,” said Annmarie Michol, English teacher, academic affairs coordinator, student council moderator and varsity tennis coach. “These young men were respectful and excellent student athletes that will be greatly missed by the faculty and staff.”

Michol co-chaired several senior class events with English teacher Ben Westphal, who echoed her thoughts.

“This was indeed an extraordinary class of Pilots that have built a unified bond of brotherhood that will last a lifetime. As a 2016 alumnus, I firmly believe that this class will be making a profound impact in the lives of others through the Lasallian values that were instilled in them during their journey at De La Salle Collegiate High School,” said Westphal, also the National Honor Society and Link Crew moderator and assistant varsity tennis coach. “They are now officially initiated as alumni and we are both looking forward to watching them evolve and become successful in their careers and in life itself. Go Pilots!”

 

Center Line Public Schools
Between Center Line High School and the district’s virtual Academy 21 program, 177 students graduated. The commencement ceremony was scheduled for June 3 at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica.

According to district Superintendent Joseph Haynes, a large number of graduating seniors plan to pursue either the engineering field or the medical field. Additionally, several students are entering the workforce in a vocational trade.

“We have a number of students attending both Michigan State University as well as the University of Michigan,” Haynes said. “Most of our students are staying local and attending in-state schools like Central University, Eastern University and Macomb Community College.”

Haynes also had some words of wisdom for the Class of 2023.

“I want to encourage our students to think about their passions and find a job that brings them joy,” he said. “Do what you can to make our world a better place for all humanity. This generation is going to heavily influence what life is going to look like in a decade or two.”

 

Fitzgerald Public Schools
Class song: “Good Old Days,” by Macklemore featuring Kesha.

In all, 179 students graduated from Fitzgerald High School, 25 from Fitzgerald Virtual Academy and six through the International Academy of Macomb. The high school commencement ceremony will be June 9, and the virtual academy graduation is set for June 8.  Both will take place at the high school auditorium.

As for career choices, criminal investigation, mechanical engineering, sports marketing, library science, nursing and music composition are popular selections at Grand Valley State University, WSU, Oakland Community College, MSU and Macomb Community College. Students also will attend art schools, such as the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, as well as trade schools. Others will enroll in the military.

 

Van Dyke Public Schools
Class song: “Dreams and Nightmares,” by Meek Mills. The district has 111 total graduates: 80 from Lincoln High School and 31 from the online Success Academy. The commencement ceremony was planned for June 5 at the Macomb Community College Sports Expo Center in Warren.

The top academic students include:

Cynthia Lor, WSU, mechanical engineering.

Denijah McWilliams, Central Michigan University or Western Michigan University, interior design.

Britnee Cooks, Schoolcraft Community College, diagnostic sonography.

Ja’Chelle Anderson, Grand Valley State, secondary English education.

Deighton Johnson, Howard University, marketing.

Reginald Noble, MSU, served as the Board of Education’s student representative this year. A college major and university were not provided.

 

Warren Consolidated Schools

A total of 938 seniors graduated this year:  228 from Cousino High School; 296 from Sterling Heights High School; 320 from Warren Mott High School; and 94 from Community High School.

The Class of 2023 at Cousino and Warren Mott both picked the same class song: “Time of Our Lives,” by Pitbull while the Sterling Heights High School Class of 2023 chose “Don’t You Worry Child,” by Swedish House Mafia.

Family and friends cheered on the Community High School seniors at their commencement ceremony May 30 at the WCS Performing Arts Center inside Sterling Heights High School. The other three schools had separate ceremonies June 3 at the MCC Sports and Expo Center.

Computer science, the medical field, engineering, accounting, graphic design, law enforcement and teaching are the most favored majors among the graduates.

MSU, U-M, Oakland University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, WSU, MCC, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan, GVSU and Eastern Michigan University are the top colleges of choice. Several students are entering the military or enrolling in trade schools.

“I am so proud of the hard work and tenacity of this graduating class, especially since their first year of high school was disrupted by the pandemic,” Superintendent Robert Livernois said. “To rise above this challenge and achieve this milestone speaks volumes to their character along with the support of their families.  I wish all of them the very best in the next chapter of their lives.”

 

Warren Woods Tower High School and Enterprise High School
As the graduates finish out their high school years, Warren Woods Public Schools Superintendent Stacey Denewith-Fici reminded them to stay true to themselves and their values.

“As you navigate through this transitional period, you may face pressures and expectations from various sources,” she advised. “Remember that your unique voice and perspective matter. Follow your heart, make choices that align with your values, and never lose sight of who you are.”

The Warren Woods Tower High School class song was “I’ll Always Remember You,” from the “Hannah Montana” television show. Enterprise High School didn’t have a class song this year.

At press time, 217 Warren Woods Tower High School students were expected to graduate June 5 at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights, and 48 Enterprise High School graduates were set to receive their diplomas on June 9 at Warren Woods Middle School. In addition, a few adult education students were expected to graduate as well as a few students who will receive their high school equivalency.

Approximately 50% of the district’s graduates plan to attend a four-year university at a number of schools, including WSU, MSU, Oakland University, Grand Valley State University and the U-M. Two students will enroll at Oakland Community College and 38 at Macomb Community College.

While many students are still undecided about their career plans, others plan to pursue the following majors: computer sciences, business, psychology, physical therapy and pre-med/biology. About 13% of the graduates intend to attend a trade school and one student is considering joining the United States Marine Corps.